Kaylin found Starrante far friendlier than Androsse, spider or no. She turned toward him. “Did you consider her bold?”

Starrante did not answer. To Kaylin’s surprise, Bakkon lifted a forelimb and poked Starrante’s body.

“You have Terrano,” Starrante said, obviously reluctant to speak.

Kaylin wanted to object, but couldn’t. She nodded instead; it seemed safest.

“Azoria was, in personality, nothing at all like Terrano. She did not have the excuse he has to be what he is.”

“Excuse?” Terrano said, brows rising.

“She was not subject to the power of the ancient green at an age when she did not have experience to ground her. That is what happened to you—to all of you, except perhaps An’Teela. Azoria was far colder, far more certain of herself.”

“I’m certain of myself!”

“We are all certain you are, Terrano,” the Dragon librarian said, her voice less Draconic and far warmer than usual. “We are cautious because you can do harm without intent. You are not malicious.”

“And Azoria was?” Kaylin asked, attempting to wrest control of the conversation back.

“I believe you would consider her somewhat malevolent. Androsse did not, but you have had experience with those of his kind before.”

Androsse was not amused, but Kaylin noted he didn’t disagree. “She was not like Terrano in feckless personality; she was ambitious. She had seen a greater world than the one she was born to occupy, and she wished to reach it. Surely you are not implying that she should have known her place? I find that very authoritarian of you, Kavallac. I am surprised.”

He was, of course, lying.

Yes, Severn said. If all other eyes were on Androsse, Severn’s attention was more subtle.

“There is a strong difference between accepting limitations that are not yours except by social consensus, and despising what you actually are. Azoria crossed that line, denying both kin and race,” Kavallac snapped.

“And Terrano? You do not seem to consider him a similar threat.” Androsse’s smile was thin; the wonder was that it existed at all, given Kavallac’s mood.

“Neither do you. I will not play these pointless, verbal games—but I am highly displeased to hear that name spoken in this place.”

“She did not do a great deal of damage.”

“Not for lack of trying—and this is not the time or place to speak of that. But if we are not to accept our limitations,” she continued, her voice dropping into the rumble of Draconic form, “we are nonetheless responsible enough to accept our duty. What is yours, Androsse?”

Androsse was now annoyed.